A/N: Okay, next one. Just so you guys now, I know nothing about how the law works. I was going to take the subject in College, but then I realised it was way too hard so I bowed out. Lol. Everything you read, is a figment of my imagination mixed with things I've read on the Internet.

Also, working on the sequel to Fallen. Or I guess it would be a trilogy now wouldn't it? Haha. I'm not going to tell you anything about it. But I will give you the title, ready?

"When It's Dark Out"

Make of that what you will.

:)


Chapter 9: Breathe

Police Precinct – Next Morning

The first thing Tamsin did when she woke up this morning, was get dressed and head into work. She'd never been so early in all of her years of working there. But she had something important to discuss with her chief.

And instead of barging in like she always did, she decided to knock on her Chief's door like he'd asked her to lately. When he told her to come in, she entered and immediately slapped a few pictures down onto his desk.

"Good morning to you too Tamsin…" Chief Andrews looked at the pictures, he could barely make them out. "… What exactly am I supposed to be looking at?" He grabbed his glasses, hoping they'd make him see better.

Tamsin pointed her finger to where Bo's reflection was, "Bo McCorrigan. Clear as day, and holding a gun. If I'm not mistaken, that's a crime! Give me the word, and I'll go pick her up right now and throw her back in the joint where she belongs" she was ready.

"You will do no such thing" He said, pushing the photos away.

"Huh?" Tamsin frowned, "You do realise that I've just handed you clear proof that Bo McCorrigan is still up to no good. Not only that, but there's a dead hitman down in the morgue and I can't prove it yet but I'm betting that he was on the receiving end of her bullet!"

He sighed, holding his hand up to stop her from talking. "First of all; this is not proof. This is circumstantial at best. All you have, is a blurry image of Bo McCorrigan holding a gun. You don't know if she fired a shot, and you don't know who she was shooting at. And second; the dead hitman was found at the docks"

"She could've moved him there!" Tamsin yelled.

And was when he lost his cool. He stood from his desk, hitting the surface loudly. "That is enough! This has to stop Tamsin!" He breathed. "Your obsession with the McCorrigans, has gone too far. Yes, Lauren is happy with her. And perhaps you feel heartbroken, but you created this situation. All Bo did, was meet a girl. A girl that happened to be your Ex. That isn't against the law" he said.

Tamsin almost found herself crying, but she wasn't going to let herself. "I know that something is going on over there. And I think Lauren might be in danger" she knew it in her bones.

"Even if she is, it's not your concern. You lost that right when you betrayed her trust. If she comes to you asking for help then it's different. But she hasn't, and probably never will. I hate to see you so torn up Tamsin. But you must let this go" he loved her like family, but this madness was affecting their work.

It had to stop.

"I can't do that…" she shook her head. "… I love her"

The Chief sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. This wasn't something he wanted to do. "I know you do. But now you leave me no choice…" He rounded his desk, standing before her. "… As of this second, I am suspending you for two weeks without pay"

She widened her eyes, "You're what?! No, I haven't done anything wrong!"

"I've made my decision Tamsin…" He said. "… Hand over your badge and weapon, you know the drill" he held out his hand for her things.

Tamsin just laughed, this was ridiculous, but he was ordering her so she had to do it. She unhooked her badge from her belt, placing it in his hands. Then went for her gun, removing the full clip and placing it on his desk. "When Lauren ends up getting hurt because you didn't believe me…" She got up in his face. "… It'll be on you!" She walked out of his office and out of the building.

He took her things and placed them in his top desk drawer, then picked up his desk phone and called Dyson into his office. Once he was inside, he sat back down at his desk. "Close the door Dyson…" He waited for him to do it and then come closer. "… I've just suspended your Partner"

Dyson couldn't help but be surprised, that was something he never thought his Chief would do. Not with the connection he had to Tamsin's Father. "Okay umm; do you mind me asking why?"

"Her obsession with the McCorrigans…" The Chief said, leaning forward on his elbows. "… I fear it might get her into some serious trouble. Suspending her, was the only way to ensure her safety. Now she has no choice to let it be"

"With all due respect Sir; Tamsin is insatiable when she wants something. And right now, she wants Lauren back. No amount of time off, will change that fact. I noticed her carrying some pictures on her way in, what were they?" Dyson felt like he had a right to know, being that she was his Partner.

The Chief picked up the pictures and showed them to him, "Evidence of Bo McCorrigan in possession of a firearm. Of course, to Tamsin this meant so much more. She thinks that it may be connected to the victim found at the docks yesterday" he didn't know what to make of this.

Looking at the pictures, Dyson saw what Tamsin saw. Bo in the reflection of a parked car, and she was holding a gun. But it didn't prove anything. Which is probably what their Chief told Tamsin, she can't have taken that well. "It could be linked. But we can't know for sure without a statement"

"You're right…" The Chief had an idea then. "… I want you to question Bo McCorrigan on this. See what she has to say. She might lie to you, or she might tell the truth. Stranger things have happened. But in any case, I'd like to get to the bottom of this"

Dyson nodded, taking the pictures with him as he left the office and grabbed his things on his way out of the building. Maybe talking to Bo without Tamsin would be better.

Lucky Joe's Tavern

To celebrate the only good news they'd had in a while, Joe invited Bo and Lauren over to the bar for a big family breakfast. Joe felt himself quite the Chef these days, and offered to cook everything from scratch. After his brush with death yesterday, Kenzi was making Theo stay with her until he was better.

So he was now joining them too.

Bo and Lauren arrived early, it wasn't like they had much to do anyway. And as soon as they did, Joe and Kenzi smothered them with hugs, giving them their congratulations. "How's Theo doing?" Lauren asked Kenzi.

"He's good; a bit sore but that's to be expected. But since you're here, I'm having a little trouble changing his gauze. Do you think maybe you could do it? I'm scared I'll do it wrong and then hurt him even more" Kenzi wanted him to be okay.

Smiling, Lauren nodded. "Of course. I'll be right back" she kissed Bo's cheek then followed Kenzi up to her apartment above the bar.

Going to the kitchen in the back, Bo noticed that her Father had certainly outdone himself. "Uh Dad?" She got his attention. "You know there's only five of us, right?" She chuckled, stealing a strawberry from one of the bowls of fruit.

"I do, but this is a happy occasion. There's nothing wrong with over indulging. Speaking of the engagement, did you happen to give Lauren the ring?" He stopped mixing the pancake batter and turned to her.

"Not yet, I'm trying to find the perfect moment. We haven't had many of those lately" Bo didn't want to just give it to her, even though she'd already proposed. She wanted to give her the ring at the right time.

Joe smiled, he understood what she meant. "Don't waste your time trying to find the perfect moment. You have to make one yourself. Don't wait for it to come to you. Just give it to her, she won't care when it's done. I'm sure she'll be too shocked by the fact you've gotten hold of a ring this soon" he went back to cooking.

"Yeah maybe…" Bo realised that she was just nervous, even though she had no need to be. "… So, do you need any help in here? Lauren's with Kenzi checking on Theo" she stood next to him, she had to stop herself from stealing anymore fruit. There'd be none left for anyone else otherwise.

"Yes, you can get the bacon from the fridge and start cooking it. I've got everything else under control" He enjoyed these moments, it was nice to be normal for a change. Sometimes talking about business made him so bored. Whereas this was fun.

Minutes later, and they were both bringing out the food. Running into Kenzi and Lauren who were helping Theo get down the stairs. With everything on the table, everyone sat down. Bo noticed that Theo looked a little distant, "Everything okay over there T?"

Theo snapped out his thoughts, "Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just, can't remember the last time we all had dinner like this. Together" he used to do this all the time when he and Kenzi were dating, then they hit a bump and it had been a while.

"Me neither, now that you mention it…" Kenzi said, "… And when you think about how long it's been, it kinda makes me sad. Well, that's over now. If the last couple of days has taught us anything, it's that we need to stick together; as a Family" she placed her hand on top of his.

"Couldn't have said it any better myself…" Joe smiled, picking up his glass of orange juice. "… Speaking of Family, let us make a toast to newly engaged couple!" He raised his glass, waiting for everyone do the same. "I never thought anyone would be good enough for my eldest daughter. But you Lauren…" He looked at her, "… You're the exception. Welcome to the Family"

Everyone clinked their glasses, then got down to finishing the amazing meal that Joe had made. When everyone was done, Bo pulled Lauren away for a second. She wanted to give her the ring now. If she didn't then they'd be waiting forever.

"So uh, my Dad gave me something last night…" Bo reached into her pocket, pulling out a red velvet box. She opened it up, showing Lauren the stunning silver band with beautifully set diamonds and a sparkling emerald on top. "… It was my Mom's"

Lauren couldn't get over show beautiful the ring was, but knowing that it was Bo's Mother's ring; meant she couldn't take it. It meant too much. "I can't accept that Bo. It's your Mom's, I think your Dad should keep it close"

Bo shook her head, "No. She would've wanted this…" she took the ring and slipped it on Lauren's finger. "… Look at that. Perfect fit" she smiled, leaning in for a sweet kiss.

"You're very smiley for someone who's being targeted by a violent gang…" Lauren chuckled, "… It makes a nice change"

"Why wouldn't I be smiley? I have a great family, a Father that would do anything for me, a Sister that I adore. And most importantly, I have you…" Bo placed her arms around Lauren's waist. "… And as long as I have you, I'll never find a reason to be sad. Ever again"

That did it, Lauren brought her into a kiss. How could she not after that touching speech? Suddenly, they were interrupted when they heard a knock on the door to the bar. The sight, popped the bubble that Lauren had found herself in today.

It was Dyson.

Bo stood in front of her, knowing how she felt around him. "Go back to the table babe. I'll handle this…" she walked to the double doors, removing the bolts on the bottom and top hinges. "… Detective? You know we're closed right?" she addressed him.

"I'm not here for a drink…" Dyson said. "… I need to speak with you about something. Can I come in?" He tried to place his foot by the door but Bo just held it steady. "Look, you can either answer my questions here, or down at the station. It's your choice" he didn't have a problem hauling her ass in.

Sighing, Bo opened the door and led him over to one of their private tables. "Wait here, I'll be a minute" she walked over to Lauren and her Father, who were wondering what was going on.

"A policeman Bo? You know how I feel about their kind" Joe hated cops. For obvious reasons, but not only that; he'd known a few that had broken their own laws to try and bring him down. He hated that.

"I'm sorry. It was either let him in, or I had to go down to the Precinct. He wants to ask me some questions. They probably think I've killed someone. I keep waiting for Tamsin to show up, but she's not with him this time" Bo looked at Lauren.

It was weird, Dyson never went anywhere without his Partner.

Lauren didn't like having him here, "Well we all know you haven't killed anyone. So there's nothing for him to find, right?" She wondered if Bo was hiding something.

But this time Bo hadn't killed anyone, at least not by her own hands. She hadn't told Lauren anything about what happened to her attacker though. Maybe later, she would. But not now. "Right…" She nodded, "… This won't take long" she went to walk away but Joe stopped her.

"You're not to say anything without a Lawyer present. You know how this works. And since I can't get anyone over here fast enough, then I will sit in on your little chat…" He looked at Lauren who was frowning. "… I got my Law Degree decades ago. Haven't practiced in a while, but this takes importance"

Dyson waited, until finally he was met with Bo and a strange man who sat beside her. "And you would be?"

"Joseph McCorrigan…" Joe loved the terrified look on this man's face right now. "… Bo's Father, and her present Attorney. Should she need one, of course. We have nothing to hide. Please, ask you're your questions; Detective" he smiled at him.

Reaching into his jacket pocket, Dyson pulled out the pictures his boss gave him. He placed them in front of Bo. "Is that you, holding a gun?" He pointed to the image.

Bo knew where this was taken, it was in the alley where she caught Craig trying to shoot Lauren. But the image was barely visible. "It could be. Are you accusing me of something?" She asked.

"You know it's against the law to have a weapon in a public place" Dyson said.

"Yeah, I know. But that alley was hardly public. Besides, I've got a permit for that. Do you wanna see it?" Bo was keeping calm, with her Father by her side she felt untouchable. Because honestly, there was no way that this little picture was enough to incriminate her.

Dyson was sick of this, "In a minute. So, can you tell me why you had the gun? And who you were aiming at?" He asked.

Joe nodded at her, "Tell him the truth Bo. We should help this officer with whatever he needs. Then he can be on his way"

"I was meeting Lauren for lunch, when I noticed someone following her. When I pulled my car up, some street punk was trying to mug her. I took my gun out to scare him, that's the truth" Bo lied through her teeth, anything to get him to leave.

"Can Lauren verify that?" He followed up.

Bo nodded, "She can, but I doubt she'd wanna talk to you. You know, you're not exactly her favourite person…" She smiled smugly. "… Speaking of lying cheaters, where's Tamsin?" She had to get that in.

Dyson didn't want to stoop to her level, "She's taking two weeks off. Everyone's entitled to a vacation. I need to speak with Lauren, can you bring her over here?" He didn't get answer to his question due to the fact that Lauren slid in next to Bo.

"She doesn't have to…" Lauren smiled at him, she could be civil for a moment. "… You wanted confirmation right? Bo saved me from a mugger, she didn't fire any shots from her gun. Once she took it out, he ran away. She saved my life" she turned to her, holding her hand.

And that was when Dyson noticed the rather sparkly rock in Lauren's left hand. Tamsin definitely wasn't going to be happy to hear that. "Okay then. I guess that's all I need to hear…" He stood from his seat. "… For now, anyway. Mind if I see that permit?"

Joe stood up, "Allow me. This way officer…" He walked Dyson out of the bar and to over to Bo's car, opening the glove compartment he removed the silencer without him noticing and slipped it into his pocket. Then showed him the gun and the permit. "… You'll find everything's in order. Now, if you'll kindly get off my property. We can all get on with our day" he tapped Dyson's shoulder with a smile.

Dyson checked the permit, it was valid. And the gun looked untouched. Although, if Bo had fired it she could've cleaned and reloaded it. It wasn't enough to arrest her. "Of course, enjoy your day Sir" he gave him the things back, then crossed the street it his car.

Walking back into the bar, Joe placed the silencer on the table where Bo sat. "Next time you carry a gun in your car…" He spoke. "… Make it look like it's just a means of protection. Not something an assassin would use for a quiet kill" he taught her better than that.

"On my honour" Bo took the silencer, nodding at him. She remembered to reload her gun and clean it of any residue but she forgot to remove the silencer. That would've looked suspicious to Dyson if he'd seen it.

Suddenly, Joe's phone rang in his pocket. "Excuse me" he walked off, answering it in private.

Bo turned back to Lauren, "I hate that you had to lie for me…" She knew Lauren wasn't that kind of person. "… I don't want you getting trouble because of me. I've already put you in enough danger as it is" she sighed.

She didn't want her to have a life like this.

"Bo it's okay. It's not like I was covering up a murder or anything. And half of what I said was true; you did save my life. That guy would've killed me if you hadn't shown up when you did" Lauren didn't care about lying to Dyson, he was an asshole anyway.

"So uh, since we're doing this whole marriage thing; what'd you say we take the next step and you move in with me?" Bo didn't know why she was nervous about asking that. They were already engaged; the hard part was over.

Lauren smiled, "I'd love to…" She pecked her lips. "… Oh, crap!" She realised something.

Bo frowned, "What? Do you not want to? Because the whole moving in thing is supposed to come before the engagement so I thought it would be perfect timing" she was rambling.

"No it's not that. I want to live you, really I do. But my apartment…" Lauren took a breath, "… I co-signed a lease with Tamsin, but it was always considered mine. To sell it, I would have to talk to her. And she didn't really take the whole 'You and Me' thing well. Wait till she finds out we're getting married" she groaned, annoyed.

"Well, she was gonna find out sooner or later right? I guess it's just gonna have to be now. I can come with you if you want?" Bo didn't like leaving her alone with Tamsin, she didn't trust her one bit.

Shaking her head, Lauren leaned her head on Bo's shoulder. "No. That'd just make things ten times worse. I can handle Tamsin. I'll talk to her tomorrow. Although, Dyson might beat me to it. He must've seen my ring" she looked down to her hand, still loving the look of it.

"Lauren? Tamsin is not your problem anymore…" Bo said. "… She's caused you nothing but pain. Maybe once you sell your place; you can finally put her behind you. This's our time now, we can do whatever we want" she bent her head, pressing a kiss to Lauren's forehead.

"Like, maybe take a vacations somewhere far away and romantic?" Lauren lifted her head, raising her eyebrow. She could really use a vacation right now, especially with all the madness that had been going on.

Bo chuckled, "Just name the place, and I'll get the tickets…" She kissed her again. "… Anything for you babe" she whispered. She knew that this was the beginning of a fresh start for her and for Lauren. And she wanted nothing more than to make her happy.

Tamsin's Apartment – Later

After being suspended earlier this morning, Tamsin spent the rest of her day in a bar that her precinct frequented. She tried to drink her problems away but it didn't work. And not long after her third hour, the owner cut her off and called the one person she didn't want to talk to.

Dyson.

He came to pick her up, and the drive home was silent. He helped her get inside, she had sobered up a little, but she was going to feel rough for a couple of days. He sat her down on the couch and grabbed her a bottle of water from the fridge. "You're gonna have one hell of a headache in the morning" he sat beside her.

Tamsin sipped the bottle, "So? It's not like I have work in the morning, right?" She looked at him angrily.

"The Chief didn't want to suspend you. But with the way you've been acting lately, he had no choice. You've gotta let this whole McCorrigan thing go and move on. Lauren certainly has" he turned his head away.

And that was something she caught onto. "What's that supposed to mean?" She frowned at him. She knew Dyson better than anyone. "If you know something, tell me!" She placed her bottle down on her table, then turned back to him.

"Chief asked me to question Bo about the pictures you gave him. I went to her bar and Lauren was there, along with Bo's Father; who was pretty scary to talk to. I noticed that Lauren was wearing a ring on her finger; most likely of the engagement variety" he didn't tell her to hurt her, but he felt she had a right to know.

Tamsin blinked her eyes, she had to be hallucinating this. She closed her eyes, wishing for it all to be in her head. Only when she opened her eyes, Dyson was still sitting in front of her. It was real. "Bo proposed?" She still couldn't believe it.

"I believe so, since Lauren was the one wearing the ring. Look, maybe this's a good thing. Maybe now you can get over her and move on" Dyson touched her arm, trying to comfort her.

That was when something inside of Tamsin's brain snapped. "You're right" She hopped into his lap, bringing him in for a hard kiss. It wasn't what she should be doing, but right now she needed to feel something other than sadness. "

After he adjusted, Dyson held Tamsin back. "I don't think this's a good idea Tamsin. You're just upset over Lauren" he didn't want it to happen this way. Although, he was finding it hard to fight his feelings.

"You can't tell me you don't want this…" She grabbed his face, leaning closer. "… Me? You got your wish D. Lauren's gone. I'm yours now" she was spouting nonsense, but the drink was clouding her mind and she just wanted to feel something else.

Without thinking, Dyson gave her what she wanted. Picking her upstairs and into the bedroom, where he showed her how much he loved her, over and over again. Of course, to Tamsin; it would never be anything more than sex.

That's all she needed from him.

Next Morning

While Bo waited downstairs in the car, Lauren took the elevator up to Tamsin's apartment. A place she'd called home for a long time. But now, it was nothing to her. Bo couldn't leave, since Lauren was still in danger with Shamus on the loose. So Lauren told her to wait, it was easier.

Yesterday, Lauren drafted some papers that would enable her to take full ownership of her apartment so she could sell it and move in with Bo. She wanted to get it over and done with so she could start anew. She was looking forward to having a good life with Bo.

All she needed was a signature from Tamsin.

Her ex could either sign her rights away or taken the apartment from Lauren all together. Then she could do whatever she wanted with it. Lauren debated subletting it, but she just didn't have the time to plan a wedding, be a surgeon and someone's landlady.

She had her hands full already.

Before arriving, she contemplated using her key. She forgot to give it back to her ex. But then she thought that it would be rude. Since she made Tamsin give her key back, she knew her ex wouldn't barge in after that fact. So Lauren walked to the door, and knocked on it gently.

Visiting now was the best time, Tamsin was probably up for work already. She just wanted this to be dealt with already. She knocked on the door again, having no answer. That was odd, Tamsin was always up early for work. She knocked one last time, and then used her key.

Opening the door, she saw that the place was a mess. It certainly didn't look like this when Lauren was living here. "Tamsin?!" She called out to the stairs, "If you're up there, can you come down for a second? I need to talk to you, it's important!" She went to the kitchen, placing the papers down on the counter.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps.

But there was more than one pair. Looking to the stairs, she saw Tamsin walking in with Dyson following behind her buttoning up his shirt. That didn't take long. She waited for him to leave, then laughed at her. "Oh yeah, you really love me don't you?"

It wasn't that she wanted Tamsin to love her, because she didn't. She had a good thing with Bo now, and she was over Tamsin one hundred percent. It was just a slap in the face.

"Don't act like you care Lauren!" Tamsin walked to her fridge, grabbing a pint of orange juice. She had a splitting headache after last night. "I mean; why would you? With everything you have to look forward to…" She poured a glass, then stood beside her. "… Nice ice" she nodded to her ring.

Lauren's laugh was dry, "I'm moving on Tamsin…" She said. "… Maybe you should try it. But do it with someone who you actually like. You're leading Dyson on. Put the poor guy out of his misery" she didn't care either way, but what Tamsin was doing was wrong.

"I don't remember asking you for your input…" Tamsin was sick of arguing. "… Why don't you just say what you came her to say. I'm sure you've got other places to be" she poured another glass.

"I want to sell my apartment…" Lauren heard her sigh, she expected that. "… I'm moving in with Bo in a few days. But in order to sell, you either need to take the lease over yourself or sign your half away to me. So, what's it gonna be?" She placed the papers in front of her.

Tamsin remembered the day she helped Lauren get that apartment, she was fresh out of medical school and couldn't afford to take it on her own. So Tamsin decided to help her out. "And if I don't sign it?"

Lauren ran a hand through her hair with a sigh, "Tamsin please! I'm just trying to have a fresh start. After everything that you did to me…" She breathed, not able to say it again. She'd put that pain behind her. "… You owe me this. Just sign the papers"

Turning to her, Tamsin thought she'd try one last time. "Lauren, please don't do this!" She broke down again. "I don't know how to function without you. You were my whole world for four years"

"And you were mine too…" Lauren said, she had to have this conversation with her now before things got really out of hand. "… But you broke my heart. You did something that I can never forget. And I moved on, and met someone else. Someone that I have a future with"

"You mean a Criminal?!" Tamsin yelled. "Because that's what she is Lauren. Bo's a Criminal! She always will be. If you think she's gonna give it all up for you then your stupider than I thought" she turned her head away with a laugh.

The truth was coming out.

Lauren smacked down a pen in front of her, "Sign the damn papers Tamsin!" She told her. "Once you do we can go our separate ways. It's best for both of us"

Instead of fighting it, Tamsin took the pen and scribbled her name where Lauren had marked it on the papers. "There!" She slid them back over to her. "Have nice life!" She waited for Lauren to walk way, then said something else; "You think you know her; but trust me, you don't"

Turning back just as she got to the door, Lauren smiled. She wasn't so gullible as to fall for that. "Whatever I don't know about her, I'll be happy to learn when we're married. But I do know one thing…" She began. "… I know; that no matter what happens, she won't hurt me. Goodbye Tamsin"

With that, Lauren left the apartment. She was finally done with this whole mess. She was ready to start fresh with Bo by her side. It was what she wanted. She breathed in relief.

She was finally free.


A/N: Ooh! Go Lauren! Hope you guys enjoyed this one. Let me know what you thought. Much love xoxo.